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Amblyramphus

(Genus)

Overview

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The Scarlet-headed Blackbird, Amblyramphus holosericeus, is an bird of southern South American wetlands.

This species is about 24 cm long. The bill is oddly shaped: long, slender, and very sharp, looking almost upturned. Adults of both sexes are described by their name. Juveniles have entirely black plumage; orange-red feathers first appear on their breast and throat, later spreading to the neck, head, and thighs. The song is given as "loud, clear, and melodic, a ringing 'cleer-cleer-clur, clulululu'." Calls are simpler but have a similar quality.1]

Scarlet-headed Blackbirds occur in pairs in large reed beds in southern Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and northeastern Argentina; Bolivia has an isolated population at altitudes up to about 600 m. They often perch conspicuously on top of a stem. They are uncommon, particularly away from the coast.[1]

They eat mainly fruit, supplementing it with seeds and invertebrates, especially insects. They use their bill as a hammer to open food items.[2]

Scarlet-headed Blackbirds are monogamous, and territories are grouped together. The nest is an open cup placed in the crotch of a shrub or woven into vegetation, in which they lay two eggs.[2]

Taxonomy

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The Genus Amblyramphus is further organized into finer groupings including:

References

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  1. ^ a b Ridgely, Robert S.; Tudor, Guy (1989). The Birds of South America: The Oscine Passerines. University of Texas Press. pp. p. 345. ISBN 0-292-70756-8. http://books.google.com/books?vid=ISBN0292707568. Retrieved on 2007-02-19. 
  2. ^ a b "Scarlet-headed blackbird". Meet the Animals. Toronto Zoo. http://www.torontozoo.com/Animals/details.asp?AnimalId=499. Retrieved on 2007-02-19. 

Sources

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Last Revised: September 22, 2009
2009/09/22 15:56:30